Monthly Archives: January 2011

A minute with………. Sue Lymn-Brewin

What 3 words best describe you? Loyal, busy, OCD!
Who or what annoys you most? Remote control for TV and Video.
What are your 3 desert island discs? In My Life – Beatles. Desperado -The Eagles. In Dreams – Roy Orbison.
What is the best piece of advice you’v ever been given? Don’t go to bed on an argument.
What objects do you always carry with you? Phone, inhaler & paracetamol.
What is your greatest extravagance? My family – I love to buy them things!
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being at home with my family.
What are your best and worst habits? Best – being well organised and pacing myself to get things done. Worst – attention to detail caused by my OCD!
What are you like to work with? As an ex-pupil I am totally committed to my job and feel extra level of connection to the school. I hope people see me as a team player who is approachable and fair.
Who do you most admire? Major Phil Packer – who lost both his legs but still managed to complete the London Marathon.
Where is your favourite holiday destination? My house in Loughborough.
What are your 3 favourite films? A Night to Remember. West Side Story. Shawshank Redemption.
What are your favourite book? The Borrowers by Mary Norton.
What ambition would you still like to fulfill? To go to the Titanic wreck site.
What is your favourite quote or saying? If at first you don’t succeed try, try again!
What do you treasure most in the office? My photos, my laptop & school diary.
Your six favourite dinner party guests? John Lennon, Roy Orbison, Captain Edward Smith (Titanic). Delia Smith, Matthew Cutler (Strictly), Freddie Mercury.

Following the organised chaos that was the transition of the playgroup (30 children, play equipment, 20 chairs, and 5 tables) to our village school – lots of hard graft, cuppas and chocolate biscuits – we are finally in and have now settled brilliantly at our new venue. The staff at the school have made us feel very welcome and we are truly grateful for all the effort they have put in to make the area safe for our under 4’s to play happily together (especially the head teacher’s husband, Nick and Mick Litchfield for the excellent fencing).On behalf of the Playgroup, I would like to thank the Trustees of the Village Hall for allowing us to use the venue for over many years. Whilst we were happy at the Village Hall and are sad to have left a venue, we are positive that the move will benefit all. The children have coped with the change very well and it’s good for them to see part of ‘big school’ life in preparation for their personal challenge of starting Primary School when they leave us. It’s also a joy for us to be able to see them progress on to school and still be able to see them around from time to time. Being on one campus allows better continuity of care between playgroup staff/parents/teachers, as that child progresses through the educational system and should have the added benefit of making the school run simpler for parents!

All in all, the move has worked out well for all those involved and now we can get down to the serious business of learning through play and developing every child that attends our playgroup, giving them the confidence to progress with ease.

Jock Logan got his very first passport at the tender age of 86 and achieved a long held ambition to visit some of the WW1
memorials in France and Belgium this summer. The last time he went abroad no passport was needed as he was called up for active service in 1942 at the age of 18.

An important part of his visit was to Dud Corner Cemetery and The Loos Memorial, the resting place of Harold Newell, the uncle of his late wife, and a native of Gotham whose name is recorded with pride in both The Memorial Hall and the Church.

Harold was 27 years old when he volunteered in September 1914 and was put into the 13th Service Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was part of the new army of volunteers never having been in the trenches or under fire before.

He arrived in France on 13 September 1915 and was marched from St Omer to the front line in the Loos area – marching 20 miles over hree successive nights – arriving in the battle area on 24 September 1915 as a reserve division to the main attack starting on 25 September 1915.

During the afternoon and evening of 25 September 1915 the reserves were pushed piecemeal into various areas to reinforce the line.

The attack was renewed on 26 September 1915 and by 8am the reserves had reached advanced positions facing the enemy’s line. The 13th Northumberland Fusiliers were ent to relieve 46 Brigade at Chalet Wood and Hill 70 near Loos. Harold died in this area on 26 September 915 – he had been in France for only 13 days. Harold has no known grave, he is commemorated on Plaque 20-22 of The Loos Memorial, one of 20596 dentified casualties. Jock and his family left a photograph of him along with flowers and a note in the isitors’ Book to mark the visit.

There is an enormous range of memorials to the fallen of WW1 in France and Belgium and the visitor experience is exceptional, with beautifully kept cemeteries, excellent visitor centres and fascinating museums. The Canadian memorial of Vimy Ridge is a spectacular, soaring monument overlooking the former battlefield – now a calm landscape so reminiscent of England. Thiepval, the emorial which commemorates the men of the British Army who fought in the battle of the Somme between 1916-1918, is a massive arched structure covered in housands of names. Nearby is the smaller Ulster Tower dedicated to the men of the 36th Ulster Division who fell during the major offensive of 1916. There is a café whose owner showed visitors the relics from the war which still turn up in nearby fields when ploughed.

A final stop for Jock and his family was Ypres and the famous Menin Gate. Its walls are covered with the 55,000 names of the men who fell in the area between 914-1917 and whose bodies were never found. Every night at 8pm the last post is sounded – the night Jock ttended this moving occasion it coincided with a remembrance ceremony for the Canadian Divisions who had fought in the war. Also during the week he stopped riefly at Arras, Baupame, and Albert where he enjoyed the extensive underground museum depicting the veryday life in wartime trenches.

Reflecting on the trip he said “I am glad I made the journey to France and saw what I did. It was well worth making and made me think a lot about the sacrifice these men made – they had it much harder than I did”.

Our Explorers have been busy this evening creating more sides for the Bottle Greenhouse! It’s a slow process but will be well worth it! Looking forward to growing some produce. Hopefully, very soon! 🌱🍅🥦🥒⚜️#ReduceReuseRecycle ♻️ #OnePlanet #SkillsForLife

Even on a dull rainy day you can always rely on the humble wildflower to brighten the place up. This collection can all be found within yards of each other along the Logan Trail… https://t.co/sPMsymx0XT

The birds appeared to be enjoying their breakfast down at the nature reserve this morning .
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#gotham #lovenotts #visitnottingham #notts #nottinghamshire #bbcnottingham #nottslife… https://t.co/bMjbplYdgp

“Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries” are contracted by Nottinghamshire County Council to deliver library services. A partnership has been set up with the Memorial Hall Trustees to run the library service on a voluntary basis. … Continue reading Library is open→